Krista Galloway

Why did you choose Oregon Tech?

Oregon Tech has the only ABET accredited Renewable Energy Engineering undergraduate program in the country. With the availability of the Electrical Engineering dual major program, I knew that Oregon Tech would set me up for success in both the industry and graduate school, depending on the path I would eventually choose upon graduation.

What do you like most about your major?

I love the versatility of majoring in both Electrical Engineering (EE) and Renewable Energy Engineering (REE). The EE degree is the more traditional, focused, and specialized degree while the REE degree is broader and extends into multiple disciplines of engineering. I believe the marriage of these degrees gives me an advantage over other new graduates as I have a wider perspective and better understanding of different disciplines and how they interact.

What would be your dream job in your major?

My dream job would be to take my engineering degrees and apply them to in-space experiments as an astronaut, specifically with space-based solar applications. The photovoltaic technologies are already integral in near-earth and deep space spacecraft and will continue to be important. Someday, I hope to contribute to efforts of harvesting power from satellites with solar panels that wirelessly transmit the power down to the earth’s surface for general purpose use in everyday life.

What's your favorite thing to do off campus?

My favorite activities off campus include getting involved in the Klamath Falls community. In 2014, I decided to serve the state of Oregon by joining the Air National Guard at the 173d Fighter Wing here in town. In addition to my guard commitment, I have had the opportunity of volunteering at the local animal shelter, helping out at youth sporting events, serving food to the less fortunate, and more. Being a small town and tight knit community, I enjoy supporting the community that supports us as students.

What's your most memorable moment within your school career?

My most memorable moment would be when I got a five-stage bipolar junction transistor amplifier to work in the lab after about ten hours of design, build, and troubleshooting of the issues that arose within this circuit. The circuit used about 50 components once complete. Getting it to work was exciting in itself, but it also provided me the opportunity to look back and see how far I’ve come in five short years.

What internships did you participate in during your time at Oregon Tech? Did you gain valuable experience from them?

Last summer, I was able to work as a Research Associate in the 2016 NASA Propulsion Academy at Marshall Space Flight Center. As a kid, I dreamed of designing rockets for NASA. There is no way to express the value of the experience I gained from working among some of the nation’s finest solid rocket propulsion scientists in the world. From research skills to raw knowledge I picked up from subject matter experts, my experience was invaluable.

Do you have employment/graduate school plans for after graduation?

After considering a handful of offers, I have decided to accept a position with Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, CA working on Electronics and Payloads in their Aerospace Systems Sector. I am extremely appreciative of the opportunities Oregon Tech has provided me and look forward to this next step in my career!